The court in the city of Haarlem has ruled in favour of Johan Cruyff in a dispute over the appointment of Louis van Gaal as Ajax general director and Martin Sturkenboom as interim director.

The judge suspended the appointments pending approval by the club’s shareholders. Johan Cruyff filed the lawsuit against his four colleagues on the supervisory board because the appointments were made in his absence.

Cruyff said he regarded the ruling as a victory. “Even though it feels a little different than winning a real game. Hopefully we will now get full cooperation from Sturkenboom who has started work as interim director. And hopefully football will once again be the main subject of discussion at Ajax.”

Ajax’s members’ council has requested that Cruyff and his fellow supervisors resign. “If they agree, I will leave immediately. I believe it would be for the best if they did so quickly. If all goes well, football players will finally be in charge of Ajax. It's the way things are supposed to be at a football club.”

Cruyff emphasized he wants to remain involved with Ajax even after he resigns as a member of the supervisory board. “A new generation of sensible football players must now take charge, but I assume they could use some help.”

(gsh/tt)

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